NICE! Plant of the Month
(Tagetes lemmonii)
Family: Asteraceae
Type: Shrubby herbaceous perennial.
Natural Habitat: Native to Mexico and the Southwest U.S, it is well adapted for the Texas Hill Country.
Growth: 2′ to 4′ tall and wide. Attains a naturally rounded mound.
Deer Resistance: Its strong scent tends to repel deer.
Wildlife: Attracts migrating butterflies.
Light Tolerance: Full sun to part shade. This sun lover is a candidate for the hottest site in the garden. Too much shade though may inhibit flower production.
Flowers: One inch bright golden-yellow daisy flowers smother the foliage, especially during a year with abundant rainfall.
Bloom Period: August ’till frost.
Leaves: The bright green, filigreed leaves release a strong fruity-woodsy smell, even when lightly touched.
Water Requirements: Wonderfully drought resistant once established.
Soil Requirements: Prefers fertile, well-drained cultivated soil. Tolerates heavy clay to sandy soil.
Maintenance: Once frost bitten, the finished stems should be pruned close to the ground and freshly mulched.
Planting Instructions: Space plants 4 feet apart. Dig a hole at least two times wider than, but the same depth as the root ball in the nursery container. Sides of the hole should be irregular, not smooth. Remove plant from container, taking care to support the root ball. Loosen exterior roots gently with your fingers. If the plant is root-bound and cannot be loosened by hand, the outer roots may be cut in several places. Lift the plant by the root ball and place into the hole. Backfill hole, using soil that was dug out. Do not add any soil to the top of the root ball. Gently firm the soil with your hands, but do not tamp it down. Place 1-2 inches of mulch over the bare soil around, but not touching the base of the plant.
Watering Instructions: Water deeply after planting to settle soil around roots. Then every 7-10 days, as needed, during the first growing season. Before watering, check for soil moisture at a depth of an inch or two at the edge of the root ball. Skip a watering after a rainfall of ½ to 1 inch. Maintain this watering schedule until the first fall. Reduce watering during the cool fall and winter months. In a “normal” year, no watering may be necessary during the fall and winter, but during a dry period, monthly watering may be needed. Second spring and thereafter: Water monthly only during periods of drought. Once established, natives will survive with little supplemental irrigation. Note: plant will die back most winters and reappear in spring.
NICE! Tip: Use in garden with fall flower colors of blues and purples from such plants as native asters, Mexican bush sage or Blue Mist-Flower. When not in bloom, its soft domed form contrasts well against strong architectural plants such as prickly pear or spiky yuccas.
Look for the NICE! Plant of the Month signs and information sheets on your next visit to a participating Boerne nursery. And thank you for supporting native plants by using them in your landscapes.
